NYC DOE Regional Enrichment Centers for families of Essential Workers

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION "REGIONAL ENRICHMENT CENTERS

The Department of Education has 57 “Regional Enrichment Centers” and childcare sites open across the city for children of healthcare, emergency services, and transit workers, as well as grocery store, pharmacy, and food workers, including restaurant, takeout, and delivery workers, feeding staff, residential and commercial building staff, and other front-line workers, regardless of whether they go to public or private school. They will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for children in 3-K up to 12th grade: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/coronavirus-update. Parents should fill out this survey to find out if they qualify for childcare at this time: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5518161/REC-Enrollment-Form

Services and Resources for those who may be unemployed or seeking other assistance:

COVID-19 services and resources include resources and links for city resources regarding employment, food and financial assistance, mental health, and more.

Mental Health and Stigma:

COVID-19 Coping with Stress/Mental Wellness Guidance

ThriveNYC Resources – Mental Health while Staying at Home

NYC Well is a free and confidential mental health support service that can help New Yorkers cope. NYC Well staff are available 24/7 and can provide brief counseling and referrals to care in over 200 languages. For support, call 888-NYCWELL (888-692-9355), text "WELL" to 65173 or chat online by visiting nyc.gov/nycwell. You can also visit NYC Well and click on their App Library to find apps and online tools to help you manage your health and emotional well-being from home.

NYS Office of Mental Health The COVID-19 pandemic has left many New Yorkers feeling

anxious and stressed. The Emotional Support Line provides free and confidential support, helping callers experiencing increased anxiety due to the coronavirus emergency. The Help Line is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling. OMH Support Line: 1-844-863-9314.

NYCHA Update: Tenants can find the latest updates from NYCHA

WIC Update: New York State’s Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Supplemental Food Program is accepting new applicants and recertifying existing participants. For more information on how to apply, click here*role="link"* or call 1-800-522-5006. As a reminder, WIC benefits are not counted as a “public charge” and no questions will be asked about the applicant's immigration status.

Update on NYC Homelessness Outreach: NYC has engaged more than 1,700 unique individuals since May 4th, including 506 who accepted placement in shelter, 281 who remain in shelter, and 432 referrals to hospital care. There has been an average of 23 referrals per night.

Rent Resources for Veterans: Supportive Services for Veteran Families is offering rent assistance to veterans who are in need of relief. For more information for Bronx residents, email ssvfny@helpusa.org*role="link"* or call 646-619-3299.

District 34 Food Distribution Site: Catholic Charities Community Services will be hosting a pop-up food distribution site at 3143 Kingsbridge Avenue on June 5th at 10am.

Legal Resources: Bronx Legal Services is offering remote legal assistance for residents seeking help with housing, unemployment insurance, immigration, access to public benefits, and more. To connect with these resources, call 917-661-4500.

Community Resources and Events:

Free diapers for Bronx families: available at The Hope Line (884 East 163rd St, Bronx, NY). Also by delivery from Catholic Charities (for babies and seniors) email amy.cabrera-bland@archny.org for more info.

New York State has announced the creation of a new texting program and confidential service to help New Yorkers experiencing domestic violence. Individuals in need of support or help with relocation can text 844-997-2121 or visit www.opdv.ny.gov to confidentially chat with a professional at any time of day or night.

If you need assistance with a civil legal matter, lawyer referral and legal services organizations remain open for business and are all currently operating remotely. Legal services organizations provide income-eligible New Yorkers with free legal assistance on a variety of issues, including housing, public benefits, unemployment insurance, workers’ rights, family and immigration law, and health care coverage. To connect with these organizations, click on the links or call the phone numbers listed below.

· The New York City Bar Association operates a Legal Referral Service, and provides low cost services in limited areas. To find out more, click here.

· The City Bar Justice Center. To learn more, click here or call 212-382-6600.

· New York Legal Assistance Group. To learn more, click here or call 212-613-5000.

· Bronx Legal Services. To learn more, click here or call 917-661-4500.

· The Legal Aid Society. To learn more, click here or call 212-577-3300.

· Mobilization for Justice. To learn more, click here or call 212-417-3700.

· Urban Justice Center. To learn more, click here or call 646-602-5600.

· Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. To learn more, click here or call 877-574-8529.

We know connecting to all of the services we have suggested can be a challenge. Below you will find a list of Internet Providers you can contact and inquire about assistance with internet/wifi

AlticeUSA is providing free internet service for all students for 60 days. Please call 866-200-9522 to enroll.

Comcast - Comcast is offering an internet essentials package for free. To sign up for a free internet essentials package for 60 days, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

Spectrum is offering free internet for 60 days to college students and households with K-12 students that currently do not have internet. In addition, people behind on their Spectrum bill can get their internet service restored. Call (833) 267-6094 for more details.

Charter cable will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a subscription, and installation fees will be waived for new student households (call 1-844-488-8395.

AT&T - AT&T COVID-19 response. AT&T will offer open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low-income families. AT&T is also offering 60 days of free public service.

Verizon - Verizon does not have special offers, but is following the FCC agreement.

Sprint - Sprint is following the FCC agreement, providing unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot spots for 60 days at no extra charge.

T-Mobile - T-Mobile is following the FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.

Optimum will also restore internet services to families behind on payments.